How To Use Photomath

Getting Started (1 minute)

Download the Photomath app (iOS or Android) from photomath.com and open it. No account required for the basic version.
Point your camera at a math problem - printed or handwritten. The app scans it instantly and shows you the answer.
Tap Show steps to see the full solution broken down. Each step explains what's happening and why, so you're not just copying an answer.
Can't scan it? Use the smart calculator at the bottom of the screen to type in the problem manually. Works for everything from basic arithmetic to calculus.
Stuck on a word problem? Type it into the app and it'll extract the math, solve it, and explain the logic behind the solution.

The whole point of Photomath is understanding the process, not just seeing the answer:

Read every step, not just the final number. Each solution breaks the problem into smaller pieces. If you skip straight to the answer, you'll be lost on the next one.
Try different solving methods. Photomath often shows multiple ways to solve the same problem. If one approach doesn't click, try another. Some people get factoring better than completing the square.
Work backwards. After seeing the solution, cover it up and try solving the problem yourself. Check your work against Photomath's steps to see where you went off track.

Upgrade to Photomath Plus for deeper explanations. The free version shows steps. Plus adds visual aids (graphs, animations), extra tips on why a method works, and custom help for tricky concepts.
Use it as a study check, not a crutch. Do your homework first, then use Photomath to verify your answers and catch mistakes. It's way more effective than using it to do the work for you.
Scan textbook examples to build a reference library. When your teacher explains a concept well, scan that example into Photomath so you can revisit the exact steps later when you're stuck on similar problems.

Tests and quizzes. Obviously. But also, if you only use Photomath during homework, you won't build the muscle memory you need when the app's not in front of you.
Word problems that need critical thinking. Photomath handles the math part, but it won't teach you how to translate a confusing word problem into an equation. You still need to figure out what the problem is asking.